2012 Chevrolet Traverse: Engine seized
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2012 Traverse report: engine seized. CarComplaints.com lists 5 owner complaints, average mileage 92,300 miles.
NHTSA has 117 owner complaints for the 2012 Traverse in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11682785 (filed 08/25/2025): “White smoke was coming out the car and my car eventually sat on fire. i had to call the fire department.. fire department stated that it was a electrical issue…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11640608 (filed 02/04/2025): “The contact owns a 2012 chevrolet traverse. the contact stated while driving 80 mph, the vehicle stopped abruptly. the check engine, traction control, stability control, and air conditioner warning lights were illuminated. additionally, while driving 75 mph, t…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: had to replace engine (4 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $7,880 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Estimated repair cost: engine replacement (used or remanufactured engine)
Average shop cost
$1,435
Range $800–$2,225 (labor)
8.0–16.0 h × $100–$139/h estimated shop labor rate
Parts not included.
Average mobile mechanic cost
$2,150
Range $1,200–$3,335 (labor)
Shop labor × 1.5 (mobile convenience premium)
Parts not included.
Estimates only, not a quote. Actual prices vary by vehicle, shop and location. See the estimate for your city → · About this repair and its cost
Same repair on other models: 2012 Toyota 4Runner: Engine blew up · 2014 Hyundai Sonata: Seized engine · 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe: Engine seized · 2015 Subaru Forester: Blown engine · 2018 Chevrolet Cruze: Engine failure · 2019 Nissan Pathfinder: Timing chain pieces ruined the engine
Page last updated .